THE ULtimATE LAYERING GUIDE

At Rooster, we believe technical clothing should work with you, not stand in your way. That’s why the development of our Women’s Technical Shorts 2.0 has been a carefully considered process - over three years of dedicated development, shaped by feedback, expertise, and a clear vision for performance. These aren’t just another pair of shorts -they’re the result of listening to women, testing with women, and designing for real bodies and real sailing conditions.  Built to Fit Real Women From the very start, our mission was clear: to create a pair of technical sailing shorts that actually fit women — of all shapes, sizes, and heights — while still offering a clean look that could blend into everyday wear. We didn’t want a “pink it and shrink it” version of our men’s shorts. We wanted something that worked because it was built for women, not in spite of it. Luckily, we have the perfect team to help. Our office is full of active women — sailors, runners, climbers, rowers — all passionate about outdoor sport and technical performance. Their honest, practical feedback helped us fine-tune the cut, waistband height, dial in the leg length, and perfect the stretch and movement across sizes. When we were closer to what felt like a final product, we brought in a small focus group of female sailors and outdoor enthusiasts to test a full size set — from the smallest to the largest. These weren’t models or marketing faces — they were real women, with valuable insights. We built this group through an open call on our social media channels inviting keen sailors to give their feedback and help us refine the final design. Their feedback? Invaluable. From tweaks in the waistband construction, to how the fabric felt, to thoughts on the colourway and styling — they shaped what you now see as the final product. I am impressed with the fact that Rooster is trying to find improved fitting women’s clothing . It was interesting to be part of this process and see the effort that goes into choosing the design. - Sam Norton (part of our focus group) Why It Took Over 3 Years In truth, launching a women’s-only technical product is a big decision for us. The market for female sailing gear is smaller, and factory minimum order quantities (MOQs) don’t always make it easy. But this project mattered, not just for the product itself, but because we know how valuable good kit is for women who are active in the sport.  Over the past decade, Rooster’s range has evolved to include female alternatives to most of our key products. When we can, we create female-specific options. And when that’s not viable, we always consider women’s fit when designing unisex products, making sure they’re as versatile and inclusive as possible.  We understand that introducing a women’s-specific short meant getting every detail right, and doing it when the brand was in a strong position to deliver it well. This isn’t just about launching a new product — it’s part of a bigger commitment. At Rooster, we’re proud to support women at every level of sailing, from grassroots participation to high-performance racing. Our involvement in initiatives like the Women’s Open Keelboat Championship (WOKC), the Magenta Foiling Project, and our continued support across sportsboat classes, including the J/70s, reflects just the start of where we’re heading. Women still make up a smaller share of active sailors — estimated at just 20–25% globally, and often less in technical classes like sportsboats and keelboats. But that number is growing, and we’re proud to be part of that progress. For us, inclusivity and innovation in women’s technical gear isn’t an add-on — it’s a core part of what we do.  Where Function Meets Purpose We’re excited to launch our Women’s Technical Shorts 2.0 and can’t wait to share the product we have been working on, they combine:  A flattering, technical cut designed for active movement. Optimised waist height for support and comfort. Stretch and flexibility where it matters most. Ideal leg length for both comfort and coverage. Reinforced, durable fabric at the seat — built to handle high-wear areas and long hours on deck. Smart, functional features right where you need them — including leg pockets, belt loops for a safety knife, internal compartments for optional deck pads, a secure waist closure, and more. And of course — they’re built from the same trusted technical foundations as our much-loved men’s shorts, which have seen five years of proven performance on the water. We can't wait for you to try them, find out some more on our video below:  

The SB1 Inshore Dry Smock is built to keep you dry and protected in a wide range of sailing conditions. At the heart of its performance is the neoprene neck seal, which provides a near-dry seal for inshore and coastal sailing. But comfort is key too — and we know that not everyone has the same neck length or preferences when it comes to feel. That's why we’ve designed the neck to be fully customisable. Below is an easy step-by-step guide to adjusting the neck seal for a personalised fit. Rooster founder, Steve Cockerill also explains via video why you might want to trim the neoprene neck seal and explains an alternative method if you don’t need a fully dry seal and want a softer feel next to your skin. Watch the video below or head to our youtube channel for more videos: Why the Neck Seal Is Made This Way The SB1’s neoprene neck is intentionally manufactured at its longest setting — suitable for those with longer necks or those seeking maximum protection. But we know that for many sailors, this can feel a little high. Fortunately, it’s easy to customise. Option 1: Trim to Your Neck Length If you want a more tailored fit, you can trim the neoprene down at the front. Here’s how: How to Trim the Neck Seal: Try It On FirstPut the smock on and assess how much material you’d like to remove for comfort. Start conservatively — it’s better to take a little off at a time. Mark the Cut LineUse a soft pencil or tailor’s chalk to draw a shallow curve at the front of the neck. Most people choose to take off a small crescent from the centre front, tapering off at the sides. Use Sharp ScissorsCut slowly and cleanly along your marked line. A sharp pair of fabric or neoprene scissors works best. Avoid jagged edges. Test and AdjustTry the smock on again. You can always take a little more off if needed — but you can’t put it back! Note: Cutting the neck will compromise the original dry-seal design slightly, but many sailors find this trade-off worth it for improved comfort in moderate conditions. Option 2: Roll the Neck Inward If you'd rather not cut the neck — or want to keep the dry-seal option for future sessions — there’s another simple trick. How to Roll the Neck for Comfort: Fold the top of the neoprene neck in on itself, so the sticky glideskin layer (which provides the dry seal) is no longer touching your skin. This results in a softer feel and slightly looser fit — ideal for warmer days or when you don’t need full waterproofing. This method gives you the flexibility to adjust the seal depending on conditions, without permanently altering the smock. At Rooster, we believe kit should work with you. Whether you choose to trim the neoprene or roll it in, the SB1 Inshore Smock is designed to give you control over your comfort and performance on the water.

If you’ve got a young sailor in the family, you’ve probably already discovered the world of Optimist sailing—a sport that’s as exhilarating as it is challenging. Whether you're just starting out or gearing up for national regattas, having the right gear can make a huge difference in both comfort and performance out on the water. Here’s a complete guide on what an American Optimist sailor should wear, broken down by an essential gear guide with weather variations and real-life sailor advice from our US community.  THE CORE KIT - WHAT EVERY OPTIMIST SAILOR NEEDS: No matter the weather or skill level, there are a few pieces of gear that every Optimist sailor should have every single time they hit the water, Spring can just be a bit more tricky! Rash Guard, Pro Rash Leggings and Boots Hot Top, Bibs, and Pro Lite Aquafleece US Coast Guard PFD, Gloves and Hats REAL POINT OF VIEW: Meet one of our US Rooster Riders, Aidan O'Gwen from New Jersey. Aidan has now transitioned into the C420 class but was very recently a seasoned Optimist sailor who knows a trick or two about dressing correctly for the right conditions -- "When I go sailing on a cold spring day I find that what you wear affects performance and how much you can get out of that training session.  Wearing the correct gear cannot only improve your results but your overall enjoyment out on the water. As a base layer I like to start out with the Thermaflex 1.5mm long John wet suit. The Thermaflex Long John allows me the freedom to move while providing a warm base layer.  On top of that  I wear the classic Aquafleece top. It provides extra warmth and keeps spray off my upper body. Finally, if it’s really cold, I wear full fingered Aqua pro gloves for keeping my hands warm.  Before and after a training session the  Aquafleece rigging coat is great for keeping warm on land. Being from New Jersey we have to sail in all kinds of weather conditions. Rooster always has the right gear for different conditions." Sailing the Optimist is all about learning independence, confidence, and resilience from the start of their sailing journey. Dressing right helps young sailors stay focused on the fun part—catching the wind, mastering manoeuvres, and racing toward the finish line. And when they’re warm, dry, and protected from the sun, they’ll love it even more. If you still would like some support and advice, our friendly Customer Service team is on hand to help you, either over the phone or on live chat, just get in touch!

When it comes to sailing, what you wear can make or break your time on the water. Whether you're out racing, cruising or training, the right outfit ensures comfort, performance, and safety. Different boat classes demand different gear — from technical clothing designed to keep you dry and warm to lightweight, breathable layers perfect for racing hard in Spring conditions. In this guide, with the help of some of our Riders, we’ll break down the best sailing outfit ideas tailored to each class, helping you gear up with confidence in a temperature range of 10-15 degrees, no matter what kind of sailing you’re into.   RS AERO Sammy Base Layer - Rash Top-Long Sleeved Mid Layer - Pro Hikers 4/3mm (Fixed Battens) Top Layer - SuperTherm 4mm Top Extras - Custom Race Bib, Rooster Cap (Structured), Supertherm 4mm Wet Socks,  Pro Laced Boots and Race Armour Buoyancy Aid   RS21 Liam Base Layer - Tech Shorts and Long-Sleeve UV Top and/or Poly Pro's Mid Layer -  Hybrid Jacket or a Fleece Top Layer - Light Weight Spray Top and/or SB1's Extras - Hat, Deck Shoes 49erFX Emilie and Julie Base Layer - Women's PolyPro Top Mid Layer - Women's SuperTherm 4mm Long John Top Layer - Classic ThermaFlex 1.5mm Top – Unisex and Women's Classic Aquafleece Top  Extras: Buoyancy Aid, Race Bib, Gloves, Boots, Trapeze Harness OPTIMIST  Amélie Base Layers - Poly Pro Top and Leggings  Mid Layer - Thermaflex 1.5mm Long John’s   Top Layer - Classic Aquafleece Top  Extras - All Purpose Boots, Rooster Cap and Poly Pro Gloves ILCA 4 Eva Base Layer: Supertherm Top Mid Layer: Pro Hikers and Wear Protection Shorts Top Layer: Pro Lite Aquafleece Top Extras: Race Armour Buoyancy Aid and Hot Socks ILCA 6 Jake Base Layer: Rash Top Mid Layer: Thermaflex 1.5mm Long-John Top Layer: Race Armour Buoyancy Aid & Race Bib Extras: Pro Laced Ankle Strap Boots, 3/4 Classic Hikers 4/3mm & Structured Cap TOPPER Meg Base Layer: Rash Top and Hot Legs Mid Layer: Supertherm Long John and Top Top Layer: Pro Aquafleece Top Extras: Structured Cap, Pro Laced Boots  29er Henry and Finn Base Layer - Poly Pro Top and Legs and Supertherm Socks Mid Layer - Supertherm Long John  Top Layer - Pro Lite Aquafleece Top  Extras - Pro Race Gloves 5, Pro Laced Boots and Dimond Over Head Buoyancy Aid Thanks to the insights from our supported sailors, it’s clear that comfort, functionality, and adaptability are key when dressing for 50-65 degrees on the water. From technical base layers to waterproof outerwear, thoughtful choices help you stay safe, warm, and focused on the important stuff. So next time you head out, take a cue from the pros! For any additional advice on what to wear, our friendly Customer Service Team are always on hand to help for your personal preference, just give us a call!

Regatta Report & Rooster Gear Guide By Sam Patterson When I signed up for Sunfish North Americans an hour before registration closed, I was definitely picturing a fun, challenging weekend of racing on Barnegat Bay, surrounded by great people who remember that at the end of the day, sailboat racing is our recreation. What I hadn’t quite imagined was 3 days of hanging on for dear life in 18+, getting absolutely humbled regarding my fitness level, and falling in love with the Sunfish all over again. I was fortunate enough to get a Sunfish for my 14th birthday, which kickstarted my love of sailing. However, that particular boat was never raced and I haven’t been in a Sunfish for about a decade (aside from one short race in 2022 where I retired after a few legs with a slowly sinking hull). My North Americans campaign officially began 13 days before the event began, with a message to Sunfish Superstar Amanda Callahan to see if I could borrow a boat; she happily let me use her 2023 hull and a great sail, I just had to provide a mainsheet and sail ties. My workout plan was simple; continue to walk my dog every morning, and do nothing at all to prepare physically for international-level competition. I’m super grateful for the work that Lee Montes has done to provide the community with educational content surrounding the boat, and without a few hours of watching his videos I would not have felt nearly as comfortable hopping into the boat for the event. My only real goals for the event were to learn as much as possible about the boat, and to try to be above midfleet in the process.   After a few mishaps involving a forgotten bag and a snapped axle, I arrived at the beautiful Lavallette Yacht Club with two boats in tow for Amanda and I, a couple of hours after the practice race as the regatta drinks were starting to flow. Racing started the next day, and we were the last boats to arrive. By flashlight, the sail got tied on and outhaul and cunningham systems were constructed. The rest was going to have to wait until the morning, as I had to get to the grocery store before they closed to get snacks and electrolytes!   Day 1 + Gear Guide   A 6:45am arrival at the venue left plenty of time to purchase some new traveler blocks, and rig my 7mm Polilite mainsheet with the 2:1 purchase system that is gaining popularity. Despite my height I’m a bit on the light side, and recently had major shoulder surgery, so the extra purchase was incredibly helpful for the weekend. I used 48’, which gave me enough to tie to the hiking strap and was perhaps a foot or two too long. I went ahead with a Jens rig halyard to depower, and did a final cleaning of the boat. At this point in the morning, the breeze hadn’t quite built and it was looking like a Chamber-of-Commerce day.   For the first time in a long time, I pulled on my Rooster Classic Hikers and started to get into race mode. It was quite hot so I wore a basic longsleeve UV shirt on top, and a Rooster Neck Gaiter around my neck. On the first day I only wore the gaiter around my neck, but found that wearing it as a full face covering on Days 2 & 3 was great for sun protection and keeping my hat on when boathandling. Rounding out my gear selections were the USCG PFD and Pro Race 2F gloves. Keeping my lunch dry was the new Rooster 3L Dry Bag, decked out with RS Fest Miami branding.  I found the 3L to be a perfect size for the Sunfish gear cubby, and easily held a day’s food, some ibuprofen, and one mini can of Diet Coke.   Race 1 started in 12-14, right out of the south with a nice fetch for the chop to turn into a washing machine in a few spots. 105 Sunfish on the line makes for a huge course, and the 1/2mi starting line created a lot of opportunity, none of which I successfully claimed. The boat felt light and responsive, and it was quickly apparent that achieving my midfleet goal was going to take some work with a 57th place finish. Fouling someone at the leeward mark didn’t help! Upwind legs were set at 1.0 miles to start the event, with race time around 1 hour.    As Race 2 began, breeze built to the steady 18 that we would see for every other race but the last. I was super glad the Jens rig (a lower halyard lift point, to depower) was already set up, but I began to feel overpowered and was envious of the couple folks I saw drop a reef in. Going into maneuvers down-speed in big breeze and chop like that was disastrous, and after a few times in irons I quickly learned to be more intelligent about my tacking. Downwind was a ton of fun, and the boat’s heritage as a sail board really comes through when surfing downwind. Race 3 saw a number of the fleet retire as the breeze continued to build, and I was incredibly close to joining them. However, I felt safe and my only reason for going in would have been my incredible lack of fitness leading to me not having an awesome time. So, with nothing else on the calendar for the day I decided to get a workout in and attempt to finish every race of the event no matter the breeze. One more race was run that day, and about ½ the total fleet finished the day on the water. Day 2   I woke up on day 2 wondering how to get Advil to sponsor the next regatta I hosted, with my quads so tight I could barely get down the stairs at the house. “Yoga for Tired Legs” was searched on YouTube, and 26 minutes later morale was on the upswing. The breeze was still up, and the courses were still long. Another four races were completed, and my Sunfish education advanced another step up on the learning curve. Race 2 was when I figured out the gooseneck adjustment, and cranked that aft to about 20”. Immediately, the boat balanced out and I felt more in-control than I had all weekend. In conditions like that there was no question that depowering to your own level was fast, and that physical fitness is key. A lot of my mistakes seemed to be larger strategic decisions that were just boneheaded in retrospect, which tracked with how much time (95%) my head was focused in the boat and not on the broader course. I seemed to make up for it on the downwind legs, passing a few folks each time this day. Submarining was a bit of an issue to start the day, which I had mild success mitigating with adjustments to daggerboard height. Downwind has never been my strong suit and I’ve spent some time working on it in other classes in the past few years, so this overall felt like a victory. I also managed to finish every race, and was beginning to think a little outside the boat by the end of the day. Day 3   At a certain point in a heavy-air regatta, the hiking just doesn’t hurt anymore. Even the best hiking pants can’t make up for several years of neglecting fitness, and you just have to keep going. Staring upwind at whitecaps as the sequence started for the first race of the day, I just kept reminding myself I only had to finish each race. The breeze had rotated 180 degrees overnight so the fetch was marginally smaller, but a 1 mile uphill slog is still a 1 mile uphill. Going into Race 2 of that day the breeze slightly died, I started to get my head outside of the boat and snagged a top-40 finish. Race 3 saw breeze as low as 14, and I started to feel the boat move going upwind. Having spent three days pushing the absolute limits of boathandling and steering, I felt comfortable enough to get my head out of the boat and actually tack on headers reliably for the first time all weekend. The downwinds became much, much harder in the light stuff as I struggled to out-surf folks, but I managed to end the event with a 20th in the last race and a 41st overall.   The 61st Sunfish North American Championship was a regatta to remember, and I’m quite glad that I had the opportunity to learn about the class in some challenging conditions. The learning curve was exponential, and I feel insanely grateful to the entire class for being super supportive and helpful, from rigging tips to chatting about changing conditions on the water. Amanda Callahan deserves unending thanks for her commitment to grow the class and willingness to give me a boat and housing for a weekend. Thank you to Lavallette Yacht Club for hosting an excellent event, and the USSCA for organizing!

The most important aspect of a good pair of hiking shorts is positioning of the battens and the lift they provide. The options we do for hiking are: Pro Hikers  Classic hikers ¾ Pro Hikers No Pads Race Armour Lite Shorts Thermaflex Longjohns & Legs Supertherm Longjohns Pro Rash Legs Now that list might be overwhelming so here is a quick summary of the different options. A lot of the time the choice of which hiking system to go for is down to personal preference but hopefully this guide will give a bit of insight into our hikers. Pro Hikers Full length with fixed battens, the pads tend to fit longer legged and pro sailors better. With longer legged sailors and super fit sailors, they are able to extend their legs further from the toestrap in a more comfortable manner, so they manage to get the hike pad over the side deck. My lack of ILCA training would have meant that I would have only managed to place the pro hike pad on the side deck. At 4/3mm and full length Pro hikers are ideal for cooler temperatures and winter sailing paired with hot or polypro legs. Then great by themselves all summer! Classic hikers ¾  ¾ length so just below the knee with knee reinforcements. These are also fixed pads that are slightly higher up the leg which tends to fit the less fit senior sailors and fitter younger sailors as well. A particular favourite for Topper sailors and younger sailors.   Pro Hikers No Pads Full length 4/3mm neoprene with the same construction as the standard Pro Hikers, just without the fixed pads. Compatible with our ProHike Pads so you can choose the size of pad you would like and also the position of where works best for you. I recently used them at the UK ILCA Masters Qualifier which was a brutal weekend of gusts in the area of 37 knots, although the RO thought it never reached over 27 on his committee boat (whilst holding his wind indicator under his jacket perhaps?)   Fitting the pads is easy, just turn the pro hikers inside out and place the hike pads about 3 inches from the knee seam.  The top of the hike pads are shaped to protect your delicate parts. The top of the hikers ended up being well into my bum cheeks.   I was not embarrassed as I can still remember seeing Paige Railey (World #1 Radial Sailor),waddling like a Penguin whilst walking on the shore.  Our Prohike pads are pre shaped to your leg, which gives you additional lift off the side deck.  This gives the sailor the ability to sail the boat much flatter without hitting the water, which is fast!   For me it also makes for a slightly nicer hiking position - gives my legs a slight bend, which having not sailed the ILCA much this year was a godsend. Having fitted the pads to where felt best, the pads were central to the deck edge, and I was in the lap of luxury.   Race Armour Lite Shorts  Our most versatile option, these neoprene and spandex shorts have the capability to add Prohike pads into the seat through our standard hook and loop attachment. These shorts can then be worn by themselves for summer sailing or over the top of any other wetsuit or drysuit. At the ILCA Qualifier my wife Sarah wore the shorts over her Supertherm Longjohn which she thought was a game changer. They never dropped or moved. Happy wife is a happy life! LongJohns and Legs  Similar to the shorts, our longjohns and legs are compatible with the Prohike pads. Meaning you can use your longjohns and legs for hiking but also for a large variety of watersports such as Stand Up Paddleboarding, Surfing or Kayak Hopefully this guide has been helpful in explaining our different hiking options. If you are still feeling overwhelmed or confused, contact our customer service team on hello@roostersailing.com or +44 (0) 1243 389997  

Knowing what to wear when paddling can be tricky, especially at the different times of year when air and water temperatures can vary massively, and you don’t know for certain whether you’re going to stay dry or be getting wet. Whatever time of year you’re paddling you want your clothing to be comfy and unrestrictive, whether wet or dry. And also practical, offering you some protection from the elements, which during the Spring & Summer months can be anything!… sun, wind, or rain! We've teamed up with SUPBoarder Mag, who are very experienced in knowing the best clothing options and to bring you some top tips for what to wear through the warmer months on you SUP. Watch the full video below:  

Get yourself ready for the season by making sure you have a buoyancy aid that is the right fit for you and ensures you are comfortable on the water. Here is some of our best advice when it comes to buoyancy aids. Does it fit properly? Your buoyancy aid should be snug to your body when fully tightened. If you can't get it close to your body through tightening the straps then it is probably too large. Your buoyancy aid, adjustable or not, shouldn't rise up to your mouth/ears when pulled up as otherwise it will do this when you're in the water, making swimming difficult. Is it still safe? Your buoyancy aid should be certified for your weight and without any obvious signs of reduced buoyancy. Conduct a basic visual inspection to check all the obvious things: That the foam has not clearly deteriorated Make sure that there are no rips or tears that will affect its performance If there are any buckles, check they are all still working If you want to check the buoyancy of a CE certified buoyancy aid there is a simple test you can perform to make sure it is still safe* Check it out here: *Rooster takes no responsibility for inaccuracies during your own test. Still not sure? Contact our customer service for any advice you may need :)  hello@roostersailing.com